Unknowns often showcase impressive ability

It is easy to see the high level of skill displayed by professional bowlers on any PBA telecast. Sometimes, it is also just as easy to see the difference in ability level of professionals and amateurs when one of the amateurs makes a national telecast at an event like the Masters or US Open. That is not to say the amateur is lacking in bowling acumen, more so, you can usually quickly see the hole or holes that the amateur has in his game by watching a few of his shots during competition.

However, not all of the best bowlers in the world are professionals, or even competing on the PBA Tour.

In terms of raw ability, overall skill level, and enjoyment of watching an individuals game, you can often find bowlers that are hidden gems.

Those kinds of bowlers do not even have to be competing weekly in local tournaments for their obvious skills to be worthy of mention. They can simply be once a week league bowlers, or twice a week bowlers. Is that rare? Exceptionally so, but that does not mean it doesn’t exist. I think I can safely say we all know at least a name or two of bowlers that we know are very, very good at the sport, and those names are often not well-known, or know at all.

This blog is dedicated to those bowlers that toil in relative obscurity, and while they are not seeking the limelight, they often deserve to be recognized for their ability.

Below are my two names submitted for long overdue acknowledgement. Feel free to submit yours in the comments section. There are many deserving.

Linda Deitz does not bowl as much now as she used to, but when Linda was at her peak, her game was unparalleled. Many may not know just how good Linda was, and that is a shame, in every way. I have never seen a woman roll the ball like Linda, before or since, and I have a feeling I never will. She could put so much speed and revolutions on the ball, and yet make it look so easy, that it made you question your own abilities. She was easily as good as any bowler I have seen. Her abilities were ridiculous. Her power was incredible. She could chew up difficult shots and crush the field. Just how good was Linda? She had to take time off due to giving birth to her daughter. She was only able to practice maybe once in four or five months. Her return? The Empire State Games qualifier at Del Lanes. The ESG qualifying was grueling format. Six games Saturday, followed by a break, then four more games, all before coming back on Sunday to bowl six games of match play. Linda only lead qualifying and ended up winning by a chasm. Need more proof? She had to take another hiatus from bowling prior to a women’s pro tour stop at Bowlers Club years ago. Again, she had taken months off and was only able to practice maybe once or twice. It had little effect as she made every cut and was in contention for the top 5, if not even the victory, before she had to take herself out in the very late stages of the tournament due to tears on both of her fingers. It was another amazing performance by Linda, a most worthy candidate to this list.

The name Jeff Whitehouse may be unfamiliar for many bowlers. For those of you that do know the name, you understand with ease why his name merits attention. Jeff has had to take two long breaks from bowling due to injuries. It’s a shame to think what could have been if that were not the case. At his pinnacle, I can safely say that Jeff was the best left hander I have seen, even to this day, and I am counting the top bowlers in the sport. Back before reactive resin had truly taken over the game, when balls with aggressive coverstocks were in their infancy, Jeff was able to hook the lane with anything, and I do mean anything. Not only that, but he could do it with disdain, and a consistency that was surprising and impressive. Many of the old-time bowlers like to joke that a big hook has its plusses and minuses, as a snide and sneaky way of demeaning those that hook the ball. Watching Jeff was scoffing in the face of those remarks. His ability to repeat was unreal. It still is, as Jeff is back in bowling now. He is throwing 14 pounds due to prior issues, and still displays the same skill that he did years ago, if not more. He had a one week comeback last year during the middle of winter. After 2+ years off, all he did was roll a 790. Many, including me, enjoy deriding left handers as a lesser class of bowler. Jeff is exempt from that common perception. There are a few bowlers that know Jeff from his earlier bowling days, and they have no doubt about his inclusion on this list.

K300, according to the huck finn page on facebook, it looks like Nick Galusha, Connor LeClair, and Tim Banta made the tv show joining Dan Rowe who is current KOTH. The top seven also included Tony Palumbo, Brian LeClair, Lee Aiezza and Joe Mazuryk.

I would be interested in seeing you write something about Anna Mae Van Buren. In the late 60′s i bowled in a couple of mixed leagues with her and her family. She was a wonderful lady and a very consistent bowler.When u speak of hidden gems Anna Mae was one for sure. Back in the 60′s there were many of those gems and i bowled with many of them. I would like to see more of these articles on maybe some unknowns like Paul De Russo a very talented bowler or even maybe the best female bowler ever to come out of the capitol district area Barbara Leicht who passed at a young age and did some wonderful things the the Colonie bowling programs including the HS.
Thank you